Matthew 26:57-27:60, Mark 14:53-15:47, Luke 23:1-49, John 18:12-19:37
This story of Jesus' crucifixion occurs in all 4 gospel accounts, with only minor variations of which details each gospel writer included. We chose to use the Mark telling as the basis for the story in this lesson, but you should read all 4 accounts in your study for this lesson.
Some teachers might feel uncomfortable telling this story to children - especially young children. While we certainly encourage you to be sensitive to your students' ages and their ability to process the information, we strongly encourage you not to water the lesson down so much that they miss the central point: Jesus Christ willingly suffered at the hands of men for our sins. You can teach them that the soldiers placed a crown of thorns on his head and give them a basic description of it without going into gory details. You can teach them that they nailed him to the cross on his hands and his feet without treating it like a scary movie.
Here are the components of the story:
To put this story in context, see this visualization of the chronology of Holy Week.
Last week, we learned that Jesus was arrested. What did Jesus do to be arrested?
Today, we're going to learn about what happened to Jesus after he was arrested.
(There are potential triggers in this story for children who have recently experienced the death of a close family member or for those who have been emotionally or physically abused. Keep an eye out on the reactions of your students as you are teaching this lesson for any signs of distress)
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.
Be sure to include as many details (see the Story Summary above) as are appropriate for your age students. The "Crucifixion Egg Hunt" reinforcement activity can be used as a teaching aide as well.
Scripture for Kids to Read Aloud: Mark 15:16-38
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
Scripture They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get. Mark 15:24
Supplies sticks or stones (one being smaller than the others)
Scripture One of them ran and filled a sponge with wine vinegar. He put it on a stick. He offered it to Jesus to drink. "Leave him alone," he said. "Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down." Mark 15:36
Supplies wine vinegar, plates
Scripture Above his head they placed the written charge against him. It read, this is jesus, the king of the jews. Two robbers were crucified with him. One was on his right and one was on his left. Matthew 26:37-38
Supplies clay or playdoh, pieces of cardboard, stick or popsicle crosses
Scripture A man named Simon from Cyrene was passing by. He was the father of Alexander and Rufus. Simon was on his way in from the country. The soldiers forced him to carry the cross. Mark 15:21
Supplies large cross made out of landscape timbers
Scripture They nailed him to the cross. Then they divided up his clothes. They cast lots to see what each of them would get. Mark 15:24
Supplies red permanent marker, black fine-tipped permanent marker
Heads up! It is a good idea to glue the popsicle sticks ahead of time for young students.
Scripture Mark 15:24-39
Supplies full sized popsicle sticks, popsicle sticks cut in half, glue or hot glue, markers, string or twine
Scripture Matthew 26:27-60
Supplies items to put in Easter eggs (see below)
Scripture Mark 15:24-39
Supplies 2 large cut nails per student, twine
Scripture The soldiers put a purple robe on Jesus. Then they twisted thorns together to make a crown. They placed it on his head. They began to call out to him, "We honor you, king of the Jews!" Again and again they hit him on the head with a stick. They spit on him. They fell on their knees and pretended to honor him. Mark 15: 17-19
Supplies small twigs and vines, twine
Scripture And Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed his last. Mark 15:37
Supplies printed sheet
Scripture They nailed him to the cross. Mark 15:24
Supplies Markers, Paper